Steroid infusion therapy side effects

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease: 300 mg IV at zero, two and six weeks and then every eight weeks thereafter.

Comments: Discontinue if no evidence of therapeutic benefit by Week 14.

Uses:
Adult Ulcerative Colitis (UC):
Adults with moderately to severely active UC who have had an inadequate response with, lost response to, or were intolerant to a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker or immunomodulator; or had an inadequate response with, were intolerant to, or demonstrated dependence on corticosteroids. This drug is used for inducing and maintaining clinical response or remission, improving endoscopic appearance of the mucosa, or achieving corticosteroid-free remission.

Adult Crohn's Disease(CD):
Adults with moderately to severely active CD who have had an inadequate response with, lost response to, or were intolerant to a TNF blocker or immunomodulator; or had an inadequate response with, were intolerant to, or demonstrated dependence on corticosteroids. This drug is used for achieving clinical response or remission, or achieving corticosteroid-free remission.

I have been receiving IVIG for nearly 9 yrs. At first, I used Gammunex with fairly mild side effects. Then my supplier insisted it was no longer available and put me on Gammagard that caused bad headaches, fatigue, pain and some nausea. I finally wrote to IG Living regarding how I could get back to Gammunex. They quickly responded that all I needed to do was have my doctor write an RX for "Gammunex Only" and that did it!! I do much better now. My premeds are 400 mg Ibuprofen, 25 Benadryl, 50 mg IV solu-cortef pre and post treatment. I also take my RX headache meds and pain meds as I also suffer from FM and chronic fatigue. I am doing much better now and no longer have to wipe out my schedule for a week after tx! Thank God for the resource of IG Living! I do have problems sleeping the first and often second night after tx that I am sure is due to the steroid. I just block out a few days to adjust and rest when I can. But, so much better than I did with Gammagard!!

Biologics are genetically engineered medications made from living organisms such as genes or proteins. They interfere with the body’s inflammatory response by inhibiting specific components of the immune system that play a role in increasing or decreasing inflammation. These drugs are given to lessen inflammation by interfering with biologic substances that cause or worsen inflammation. Traditional drugs used to treat rheumatoid arthritis tend to suppress the entire immune system whereas biological drug therapy targets the particular components of the immune system.